Performing a proper pre-game warm up is a common event for athletes engaged in competition. It is often overlooked as a key factor in whether or not the team and athlete are going to be successful. A proper pre-game warm up is a key factor in limiting the risk of injury. However, that isn’t the only important thing that should be analyzed when reviewing this topic. The performance of an athlete is a key way to not only stand out but also ensures every possible opportunity is taken to maximize the level of competition. Even the most mediocre teams have a warm up in terms of taking shots and doing some stretches. There are ways to get the best out of the warm-up. Here's how:
Arrive Early (Not Just On Time)- This is probably the most important factor that is the most often overlooked. When athletes arrive early they can get their mind into game mode and be ready to play. There are VERY FEW athletes that can hop out of the car and be good to start the game with limited warm up. Parents often make the assumption that this isn’t necessary. I can tell you a high level of certainty that this matters a lot. Even if your athlete can be ready without a warm up they shouldn’t because it is about the team getting prepared so they should be helping their teammates to get into their optimal performance level. It isn't just about the individual performance . Not warming up properly is a huge risk in terms of injuries.
Improve the Mental Edge - The warm up is meant to focus on the physical body by getting the muscles loose and ready for the game. Many athletes make the mistake thinking that it starts and ends there. This is probably the second most overlooked item because the mental side of the game is in some aspects is where the biggest edge against the competition comes from. If you can get into the right intensity level and the right mental preparation level than the game becomes much more manageable. Athletes need to prepare their mind for battle by getting into the proper state of being. It is about competition and taking yourself to the point of your optimal game state. The movements the physical body goes through help to dictate the mental level of the athlete. The more game like it is the better.
Learn and Reinforce Your Routine - Many professional athletes are extremely selfish about what it takes for them to get into their optimal mindset. This may entail what they eat, how much rest they get or what they do to prepare for the game. The pregame routine is methodical and extremely well thought out and can be tweaked or remain the exact same for years. Some players need space for quiet reflection and others need teammates to get them pumped up. Prior to the warm-up athletes should do what they need to do whether listening to music or joking around with their friends. Regardless of what their habits are once the warm-up itself starts it should be all about the team in order to get the best performance for the entire group.
Great Teams Stand Out - When a team comes in with a plan of exactly what they are going to execute the warm up it shows. This often carries over into exactly what they plan to execute on the court when the game starts. When a team is just shooting around and not taking it seriously comes up against a team that had an intense warm up and is ready to go the outcome of the game can very quickly take shape. I am not saying that the team that warms up the best wins but it definitely provides an edge that influences the outcome of the game at the highest level. Teams that warm up well and are on point can be very intimidating as well as impressive. It can be a form of psychological warfare.
My college coach once told our team he knew what kind of game it was going to be by how well and intense we warmed up. At first I thought “How is that possible? It is only the warm-up. The game hasn’t even started yet.” It took me a long time to realize he was right. Games can be won and lost in the first couple minutes of the game if one team gets off to a good start over the other. It can be the difference between being in the driver's seat the whole game or playing catch up. Even if your team's warm up isn’t that bad why wouldn't you put your maximum effort in to try to put the right pieces in place to stack the deck in your favour?
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